Automatic tool block



S. L. CASELLA Dec. 18, 1945.

Filed i i iii 15, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 m EC INVENTOR SECONOO L. CASHZA ATTORNEY Dec. 18, 1945. s, L, CASELLA "2,390,989-

, AUTOMATIC TOOL BLOCK Filed April 15, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 V :H 3. 5: S 2

CO d) H Pli- INVENTOR 5c0N00 L. 45am BY 8 ATTORNEY Dec. 18, 1945. s. L. CASELLA I 2,390,989

AUTOMATIC TOOL BLOCK Filed April 15, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR a m/v00 L. (45510] ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 18, 1945 NETED fiTATES an'romrrc 'rooL BLOCK Seoondo L. asella, New York, N. Y., assignor to Morey Machinery Co., Inc., New York, N. Y., a

corp oration Application April 15, 1943, Serial No. 483,099

8 Claims.

This invention relates to automatic tool block. An object of this invention is to provide an automatic tool block adapted to .be mounted on a cross slide of a lathe and having highlyimproved means for rotating, locking and clamping an indexible tool holder.

A further object of this invention is to pro- I vide in a device of the character described an indexible tool holder, means to clamp the holder,

a locking pin to lock the holder in each of a plurality of index positions, and a handle located at the front of said device and adapted to sequentially unclamp the holder, release the locking pin, rotate the holder to a new indexed position, lock the locking pin, and clamp the holder.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described in which release of the clamp and locking pin, and

v rotation of the holder, and subsequent locking of the locking pin, and actuation of the clamp, is accomplished by rotation of a handle 360 or one complete turn either clockwise or counter, clockwise.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a brake clamp for an indexible member and highly improved means to actuate the clamp and produce a tight grip by means of a relatively small movement of the actuating part.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a highly improved device or the character described, including gearing for rotating the indexible tool holder 90 in either direction each time a handle is rotated 360.

- Still a, further object of this invention is provide a strong, rugged and compact device of the character described which shall berelatively inexpensive to manufacture, easy to assemble, smooth and positive in operation, and yet practical and efiicient to a high degree in use.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in thefeatures of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described,

, and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown one of the various possible illustrative 5o embodiments of this invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of an automatic tool block embodying the invention with parts broken away and in cross-section;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 isa cross-sectional view taken on line 66 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 3.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, H! designates an automatic tool block embodying the invention. The same comprises a base H. Said base is formed with a recess l2 at its underside providing side walls !3, a front wall l4, and a rear wall l5. Said front and rear walls comprise flanges formed with countersunk through openings l6 communicating with aligned, longitudinal grooves l'l formed on the underside of said walls. The grooves I! are adapted to register with the T-s1otsl8 in the cross slide IS on which device It is mounted. Said front and rear walls are furthermore formed with vertical, screw threaded openings 20 extendin upwardly from the underside thereof and disposed adjacent the openings i6 and likewise communicating with the grooves l1.

Said base H furthermore comprises a horizontal wall 22, and an upwardly extending wall 23 having side portions 24, and a curved front portion 25. Said top' wall 22 is formed with a recess 26 in its top adjacent the rear end thereof and with a circular boss 21 extending upwardly from said recessed surface. The boss 21 is formed with an annular undercut groove 28 below the upper surface thereof, said groove having an upwardly and outwardlyinclined upper surface 30.

Extending upwardly'from the boss 21 is an axial sleevei 3|. The wall 22, boss 21, and sleeve 3| are formed with an axial through opening 33. The wall 22 is also formed with a vertical through opening 34 extending through the recessed surface 28 thereof and disposed on the longitudinal axisv Of the base.

Said wall 22 is formed with another vertical through opening 35 similar to opening 34 and likewise on the longitudinal axis of the base.

Said wall 22 is formed with shallow annular bosses 34a and 35a on the underside thereof at the openings 34 and 35, respectively.

Said wall 22 is furthermore formed with a shallow boss 33a on'the underside thereofat the lower end of opening 33.

The wall 22 is also formed with a vertical through opening 38 disposed on the longitudinal axis of the base and located between the openings 34 and 35.

Adjacent the front end of the base, wall 22 has a recess 31 of greater depth than the recess I2, forming a thinned wall 38. The wall 38 is formed with a vertical through opening 38 likewise located on the longitudinal axis of the base. At the lower end of said opening is an annular boss 39a.

Attached to the underside of the flanges l4 and I are base aligning keys 4i, received within the grooves I1 and projecting into the groove or slot I8 of the cross slide. The keys 4| are formed with through openings 42 to receive screws 43 passing through the registering openings I8, 42. The lower ends of said screws are screwed to base clamping nuts 45 within slot l8. The keys 4| are attached to the flanges l5 by screws 44 engaged within the screw threaded openings 20 and passing through appropriate openings in the keys.

The wall 22 is formed with a vertical through opening 48 disposed in a vertical plane passing through the axis of opening 33 and disposed at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the base. Said wall 22 is furthermore formed with a longitudinal slot or recess 46a at its underside parallel to a side wall l3 and communicating with the lower end of the through opening 48, and also with recess 31.

Rotatably mounted on the base is an indexible tool holder 41. Said tool holder is shown in the drawing, for the purpose of illustration, as square. It has a socket 48 rotatably receiving the sleeve 3|. Said tool block or tool holder 41 is formed with a through opening 49 co-axial with the socket 48. The tool holder is formed on four sides thereof with grooves 50 to receive tools adapted to be clamped in position by screws 5| in the usual manner.

The tool holder 41 is provided at the lower end thereof with an annular boss 52 formed with an annular groove 53 having a downwardly and outwardly inclined lower surface 54. The boss 52 is complementary with the boss 21 and registers therewith for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

Said tool holder is furthermore formed on the underside thereof with four annular sockets 58 equally spaced apart and each disposed adjacent ted within each socket is a lock pin bushing 8| having a tapered lower surface 62. Screwed within the upper end of each opening 58 is a set screw 83. By removingset screws 83, the washers in and bushing 8| may be knocked out of th sockets 58.

Extending through the registering openings 33 and 48 in the base and tool holder, is a vertical shaft 18. Screwed to the lower end of shaft 18 is a nut II and screwed to the upper end of said shaft is a capped nut 12. Interposed between the capped nut 12 and the tool holder 41-'-is a washer 1 120. The shaft 10 is keyed to the tool holder by a key 13.

It will now be understood that rotation of the shaft 10 will cause the tool holder to rotate.

Means is provided to rotate shaft 18 and hence the tool holder. To this end there is mounted on the shaft 10 adjacent the lower end thereof a gear 15 held on the shaft by the nut 1| and a washer 1la interposed between the nut and said gear. The gear may be keyed to the shaft by a. key 16. Received within the vertical opening 34 in wall 22, is a vertical gear stud 11 having a head 18 at its lower end. The stud 11' is formed with an annular groove 19. The base I I is formed with a horizontal opening extending at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the base and communicating with opening 34. Th inner end of the opening 88 is screw threaded as at 8! to receive a set screw 82 to engage groove 18 and hold the stud 11 on the base. On the enlarged lower end of the stud 11 is rotatably mounted a gear 83 meshing with the gear 15.

Fitted within the opening 35 is another stud 11a similar to stud 11 and likewise formed with a fiat head 18a at its lower end and with an annular groove 19a.

The base 22 is formed with a horizontal opening 80a parallel to opening 80 and communicating with opening 35. The inner end of opening 80a is screw threaded as at Mo to receive a set screw 82a adapted to engage within the groove 19a of stud 11a to hold the stud in place. Rotatably mounted on the lower enlarged end of stud 11a is a gear 85 meshing with the gear 83. Said gear 85 is formed at four equally spaced apart points with circular notches 88. Each notch is cut in the outer ends of a pair of teeth 81 as shown in the drawings. The notches are curved :for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

Rotatably mounted within opening 39 of the base is a vertical lever shaft 88 having a reduced portion 88a adjacent its lower end. Extending downwardly from the reduced shaft portion 88a is a screw threaded portion 88 on which is screwed a nut 90.

Mounted on the lower end of shaft portion 88a and keyed thereto is an intermittent or segmental pinion 92. Said pinion 92 is formed with a segmental, smooth curved portion 93 and with a segmental gear toothed portion 94. The radius of curvature of portion 83 is similar to the radius of curvature of the notches 86. The pinion 82 is keyed to shaft portion 88a as illustrated, The number of teeth in the toothed portion 84 of the pinion 92 is suflicient to rotate gear 85 through an angle of It will now be understood that 9. Geneva gear construction is provided and that each time shaft 88 is rotated 360 gear .85 makes one-quarter of a turn. The number of teeth in the gears 85 and v 15 is similar so that each time gear 85 makes one-quarter of a turn, gear 15 likewise makes one-quarter of a turn.

Thus rotation of the shaft 88 through an angle of 360" in either direction will cause the tool holder 41 to rotatethrough an angle of 90".

Means is provided to lock the holder in each of its four indexed positions. To this end there is slidably mounted in opening 48, a. locking pin 85 having a tapered upper end. The locking pin 85 is adapted to be moved upwardly in the manner hereinafter disclosed; to selectively engage within the bushings 8|;

There is provided means for moving the locking pin 95 downwardly to release the holder bethrough an angle of'90".

fore rotating the holder from one index position to another, and to again move said locking pin upwardly to locking position after the holder has been rotated to a new index position. To this end the base I I is formed with a horizontal opening I extending to opposite sides of the slot 46a and located about midway between openings 33 and 33. Inserted within said opening I00 is a pivot pin IOI traversing said slot. Pivot pin IOI has an annular groove IOIa. Base wall 22 has a vertical hole IOIb receiving a set screw IOIc engaging groove IOIa to hold pin IOI in place. Pivotally mounted on said pin IN is a lever I 02, located in slot 46a. Said lever I02 has a front arm I03 and a rear arm I04. The rear arm I04 metrical brake parts I2I each having a semicylindrical portion I22 and a lug I23 at the rear end thereof. countersunk through opening ,I24, whereas the other lug I23 is formed with a screw threaded through opening I25. Extending through the countersunk through opening I24is a screw I26 screwed within the opening 125. Screw I26 serves to adjust the brake.

is received in anotch I05 at the lower end of the locking pin 95. Thus rotation of the lever I02 in a counterclockwise direction will raise the 7 locking pin 95, whereas rotation of the lever in a clockwise direction will lower the locking pin.

On the shaft portion 88a and keyed thereto is a cam disc I01, Said disc I0! is located above gear 92 and is formed on the upper side thereof with a cammed portion I08 extending through about an angle of 270; the opposite ends of said cam being ramped downwardly as'at I08a and A plane passing through the axis of shaft 88 and bisecting the segmental portion 93 is disposed at right angles to a plane passing through the axis of said shaft and bisecting the angle between the ramp ends I08a, I08b of the cam I08.

The front end I03a of lever arm I03 projects downwardly onto the cam disc. The shaft 88 can thus rotate about 45 in either direction be- 'I08b. However, gear 85 will not begin to rotate until shaft 88 has been rotated through an angle of about 90 in either direction so that the lever is rotated to lower the locking pin 95 and release the tool holder before said holder begins to rotate. After the locking pin has been lowered to release the holder, the shaft may be rotated through an angle of about 270"v while the locking pin is held down and portion I 03a of the lever rides on the dwell portion I08 of the cam. During this angle of rotation the holder is rotated Thus the locking pin is moved up into locking position after the tool holder has been rotated through an angle of 90 from one index position to another index position, and this is true whether the shaft is turned in one direction or the other. 7

The lever is retained in contact with the cam by means of a spring pressed plunger IIO slidably mounted in an opening III in the base and described in greater detail hereinafter.

Mountedon the base is a cover II4 which' is attached to the base by means of. a plurality of screws H5. 'The cover H4 is formed with a socket IIS on its underside registering with opening III in the base. Said cover is also formed witha through opening II I of reduced diameter communicating with said, socket. The stem of the plunger. I I0 passes through the opening I II. A spring H8 on the stern of the plunger At the front ends of brake or cam portions I2I are parallel, symmetrical extensions I30 having inwardly and forwardly inclined outer surfaces. -|3|.

On the inner surfaces of the extensions I30 are registering sockets I32 receiving a spring I33 interposed betweensaid'extensions and normally urging the brake portions I2I apart to release the holder. the complementary bosses 21 and 52 of the base and holder respectively. Said brake portions are formed on the inner surfaces thereof with grooves I34 having inclined top and bottom surfaces engaging the surfaces 54 and 30 of the holder and base respectively,

On the outer side of each of the lugs I30 is embedded a vertical pin I36 projecting beyond the inclined surface I3I. At the outside of lugs I30 and spaced therefrom are parallel lugs I40. Slidably mounted on the base is a clamp actuating member I4I having a bifurcated arm I42 revceived between the lugs I30 and I40, and having forwardly and inwardly inclined surfaces I43 slidably mounted between the wall portions 24 of the base.

It will now be understood that as member I4I moves to the right, looking at Fig. 4 of the drawings, it will draw the brake portions I2I together to tightl grip the holder and clamp it to the base. However, as member I4I moves to the left or forwardly it will release the brake portions I2I, which are then separated by the spring I33 to release the holder. Mounted on the shaft 88 and keyed thereto is a cam- I45 adapted to engage the forward end of member I4I, for mov ing member I4I to the right, to clamping position.

Means is provided to retract member l4-I when the cam is moved to the right or left fromthe position shown in Fig; 4 of the drawings. To this end cam slide member MI is formed with a longitudinal slot I48. Fixed within opening 36 and extending upwardly therefrom is a pin I 4] extending upwardly above the base and into slot I48. The upper end of I 4'Ia' ofpin, I4! is semicylindrical and has a flat front face. Interposed between the flat face of pin portion MM and the front end of the slot I48 is a compression is interposed between the head thereof and the upper end of the socket IIB, as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The plunger thus engages the leverand keeps it in contact with the cam disc.

Means is provided to clamp the tool block in each of its index positions to. prevent. chatter. I

To this end there is provided a brake clamp I20 comprising a pair of substantially similar symspring I50. retract the cam slide MI. The cam I45 can be moved beyond the. dead center position of Fig. 4 in either direction.

It will now be understood that shaft'88 is.

released before the locking pin is released and-is again clamped after'the locking in is moved to locking position.

Mounted on the upper of Shaft 88 and keyed thereto is an actuating handlel 60 normally One lug I23 is formed with a The brake portions I2I surround The spring I50 normally tends-to extending rearwardly. The forward end of handle I 66- is formed with a through opening I6I. Received within said'opening and fixed to the handle is a sleeve I62 extending upwardly from the handle and having an apertured top wall. Slidably mounted on the upper end of sleeve I62 is a ball I63. Said ball is formed with a socket to receive said sleeve. Fixed to said ball is a central stem I66 projecting down through the aperture in the top wall of said sleeve. Said stem has an enlarged portion I65 formed with a semi-- spherical knob I66 at its lower end,

Interposed between portion I66 and the top wall of the sleeve is a spring I68. It will now be understood that the spring I68 tends to lower the ball. However the ball may be grasped and raised somewhat for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

The cover H4 is formed with an opening I disposed on the longitudinal axis of the device and below the stern I64. Received within said opening I10 is a hardened bushing I'I'I having a central opening I12 adapted to receive the knob I66. The upper surface of the bushing I1I is dome shaped.

The operation of the device will now be understood. To rotate the tool holder the ball or knob I63 is grasped by the hand, slightly lifted, to re-' lease knob I66 from hole I12, and the handle is then rotated through an angle of 360 in either direction to make one complete turn. As the handle is being rotated the upward pressure on the knob is relaxed so that as the handle nears a complete turn'the projection I66 will strike the top of the bushing I6I and ride up on said bushing and then snap into said opening I12.

During rotation of the handle the clamp or brake is first released, the locking pin is then lowered or disengaged from the holder, the holder is then rotated through an angle of 90 making a one-quarter turn, the locking pin is then again tion are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth,

it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown inthe accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a,

limiting sense.

' Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to securerby Letters Patent:

1. A device of the character described comprising a base, a tool holder mounted for rotation on said base about a vertical axis, said tool holder having a plurality of angularly spaced sockets, a locking pin on said base adapted to selectively engage said sockets, a lever pivoted mediately the ends thereof on said base and having one arm engaging said locking pin, a vertical shaft rotatably mounted on said base, a cam on said shaft adapted to engage the other arm of said lever, means to rotate said shaft, a segmental gear on said shaft, a gear fixed to the tool holder for rotation therewith, and gearing interposed between said segmental gear and the gear fixed to the tool holder.

2. A device of the character described comprising a base, a tool holder mounted for rotation on said base about a vertical axis, said tool holder having a plurality of angularly spaced sockets, a locking pin on said base adapted to selectively engage said sockets, a lever pivoted mediately the ends thereof on said base and having one arm engaging said locking pin, a vertical shaft rotatably mounted on said base, a cam on said shaft adapted to engage the other arm ofsaid lever, means to rotate said shaft, a segmental gear on said shaft, a gear fixed to the tool holder for rotation therewith, gearing interposed between said segmental gear and the gear fixed to the tool holder, said base being formed with -a boss, said tool holder being formed with a boss complementary with the boss on the base, a split clamp brake surrounding said complementary bosses, said brake having a pair of parallel extensions, a cam slide on the base having bifurcated arms receiving said extensions between them, a spring interposed between' said extensions biasing said extensions apart to release the brake, said bifurcated arms having means to'press said extensions together when said slide is moved in one direction,

and a cam on said shaft to move said cam slide in said direction.

3. A device of the character described comprising a base, a tool holder mounted for rotation on said base about a vertical axis, said tool holder having a plurality of angularly spaced sockets, a locking pin on said base adapted to selectively engage said sockets, a lever pivoted mediately the ends thereof on said base and having one arm engaging said locking pin, a vertical shaft rotatably mounted on said base, a cam on said shaft adapted to engage the other arm of said lever, means to rotate said shaft, a segmental gear on said shaft, a gear fixed to the tool holder for rotation therewith, gearing interposed between said segmental gear and the gear fixed to the tool holder, said base being formed with a boss, said tool holder being formed with a boss complementary with the boss on the base, a split clamp brake surrounding said complementary bosses, said brake having a pair of parallel extensions, a cam slide on the base having bifurcated arms receiving said extensions between them, a spring interposed between said extensions biasing said extensions apart to release the brake, said bifurcated arms havin means to press said extensions together when said slide is moved in one direction, a cam on said shaft to move said cam slide in said direction,

' and spring means to retract said cam slide when the handle is turned.

4.A device of the character described comprising a base, a tool holder mounted for rotation on said base about a vertical axis, said tool holder having a plurality of angularly spaced sockets, a locking pin on said base adapted to selectively engage said sockets, a lever pivoted mediately the ends thereof on said base and having one arm engaging said locking pin, a vertical shaft rot'atably mounted on said base, a cam on said shaft adapted to engage the other arm of said lever, means to rotate said shaft, a segmental gear on said shaft, a gear fixed to the tool holder for rotation therewith, gearing interposed between said segmental gear and the gear fixed to the tool holder, said base being formed with a boss, said tool holder being formed with a boss complementary with the boss on the base, a split clamp brake surrounding said complementary bosses, said brake having a pair of parallel extensions, a cam slide on the base having bifurcated arms receiving said extensions between them, a spring interposed between said extensions biasing said extensions apart to release the brake, said bifurcated arms having means to press said extensions together when said slide is moved in one direction, a cam on said shaft to move said cam slide in said direction, and spring means to retract said cam slide when the handle is turned, the cam for moving the cam slide, the lever cam and the segmental gear being so located on the shaft that as the handle is given a complete turn, the clamp brake is first released, the lock pin is then released, the tool holder is then turned, the locking-pin is then engaged in a socket of the tool holder, and the clamp brake is then again clamped.

5. A turret tool block comprising a base, a tool holder rotatably mounted thereon, a boss on said base, a boss on the tool holder complementary to said boss on the base, a split brake clamp surrounding said bosses, said brake clamp having parallel extensions, a spring interposed between said extensions, a member slidably mounted on said base and having a pair of arms, receiving said extensions therebetween, said arms having inclined inner surfaces, means on said extensions adapted to be engaged by said arms to close the brake, a. handle pivoted on said base, a cam rotatable with said handle adapted to engage the slidably mounted member, said member having a slot, a pin fixed to said base and projecting into said slot, and a spring interposed between said pin and one end of said slot.

6. A turret tool block comprising a base having an undercut circular boss, a turret rotatably mounted thereon and having an undercut boss registering with the first boss, said base and turret having registering axial openings, a shaft extending therethroughand keyed to said turret, said turret having a plurality of angularly spaced sockets, a locking pin slidable in said base and adapted to selectively engage said sockets, a gear on said shaft and keyed thereto, a lever pivoted mediately the ends thereof to said base and having an arm engaging said locking pin, a

second shaft parallel to the first shaft and rotatable on said base, means to rotate said shaft, a cam disc on said second shaft, said lever having a second arm engaging said cam disc, a segmental gear on said second shaft, gearing interposed between said segmental gear and the gear on the first shaft, a split brake surrounding said bosses, a sliding member having means to actuate said brake, and a cam on said second shaft to move said sliding member to actuating position.

7. A device of the character described comprising a base, a tool holder mounted for rotation on said base about a vertical axis, said tool holder having a plurality of angularly spaced sockets, a locking pin adapted to selectively engage said sockets, a lever pivoted mediately the ends thereof and having one arm engaging said locking pin, a vertical shaft rotatably mounted on said base, a cam on said shaft adapted to engage the other arm of said lever, means to rotate said shaft, a

segmental gear on said shaft, a gear fixed to the tool holder for rotation therewith, gearing interposed between said segmental gear and the gear fixed to the tool holder, said segmental gear having a blank curved portion, and said gearing including a gear adapted to mesh with said segmental gear, and having spaced notches to permit rotation of the segmental gear without rotating said notched gear when said blank portion is in registry with any one of said notches.

8. A turret tool block comprising a base, a tool holder rotatably mounted thereon, a boss on said base, a boss on the tool holder complementary with said boss on the base, a split brake clamp surrounding said bosses, said brake clamp having parallel extensions, a spring interposed between said extensions, a member slidably mounted on said base and having a pair of arms, receiving said extensions therebetween, said arms having inclined inner surfaces, means on said extensions adapted to be engaged by said arms to close the brake, and pins on said arms disposed at right angles to said arms for contacting said extensions.

SECONDO L. CASELLA. 

